Is the NYPD Punishing People for Not Agreeing to Invasive Iris Scans?

According to an Occupy Wall Street protester, absolutely. Samantha Wilson, says she was arrested during an action in December and while being processed, objected to letting an officer conduct an iris scan.

She says he told her, “It’s not really optional. It’ll take you longer to get out of here if you don’t do it.” Wilson refused and was held for about 36 hours. The NYPD first started using the Big Brothery gadgetry in 2010 after two criminal suspects—yes TWO—were wrongly identified and released (they were quickly apprehended once the mishap was noticed).

A pair of demonstrators who were busted a month later on similar charges, also claim that cops instructed them to be scanned or risk staying longer, officially making this a trend and way too akin to the terrifying technology usually relegated to sci-fi thrillers.